Beckgroud Information

Background Information

Bees

• Natural pollinator

• Increase fruit size, yield, quality

• Various habitats

Pesticides

Protect the growth of strawberries *

Fungicide: prevent fungal disease *

insecticide: control insects *

Our Question

What’s the change of bee-harmed pesticides

usage across states and why?

Overview of the Data

Citation: https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/strawberries

Overview of the Data

Overview of the Data

Overview of the Data

Overview of the Data

EDA: Type vs Value

EDA: Type vs Value

EDA: BeeToxin vs Value

EDA: BeeToxin vs Value

Shiny Application

https://jacobchen.shinyapps.io/BEEProjecy/

Results

• Reduction of usage in 2018, but bounced back in 2019

• More varieties of pesticides used over three years

  • Same pattern as amount of pesticides

  • More high bee-toxin pesticides were used

• Florida surpassed California in the usage of pesticides

Discussion

• Pesticides lead to distinction of 41% insects in next few decades

  • Neonics: far-reaching effects on bees, birds, etc.

  • Build-up effects on environment: underground water, soil

• High bee-toxicity pesticides should be limited

  • EU expanded ban on three types of bee-harmful pesticides in 2018

  • US banned 12 pesticides in 2019; followed by a total ban in 2020 by EPA

    • 2019, California banned pesticides that harm children growth

    • Florida pesticides companies challenged bans
      

Discussion…

• Modest solutions by EPA (Environment Protection Agency)

  • Limit the time window for use of pesticides

  • Integrated Pest Management plan: cultural, mechanical, and biological pest controls

  • Leave a buffer area between treated areas and areas where wildlife may be present

  • Take care when planting treated seeds to prevent dust that could affect bees

Citation: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles

Any Question?